World's largest court-based arena planned for Reno

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- The National Bowling Stadium may soon lose its unique, one-of-a-kind status in Reno. Plans to build the world's largest court-based arena are being made.

The company is called jogoReno. Tt announced a 30-year lease for property at the Grand Sierra Resort. If this plan becomes reality, it would bring a unique facility to Reno, and provide an economic boost.

The plan is to build a 68,000-square foot facility on property leased by the Grand Sierra Resort. It would house 32 courts.

mike neeser is the managing partner behind this dream."It will be an international event center for raquetball, handball, squash, volleyball, badminton, three on three basketball," said Managing Partner Mike Nesser.

Neeser said court sports are on the rise, and there is no national events center for these sports. This arena would host national tournaments. "When people are coming to these national tournaments, they are five-day trips, so they're mini-vacations."

Neeser said this alone would help boost the area economy. "We'll bring about 25,000 room nights is the average, and we're looking to bring that. Later on, if we're really successful, we may bring 50,000 room nights."

Backers said this facility would be open year-round. That means in addition to tournaments, they will host local high school youth leagues, and provide individual local memberships.

They picked Reno for a reason. "We looked at Denver, Chicago, Las Vegas, lots of other cities, but no city has what Reno has," said Nesser.

neeser said that includes activities outside the arena. "One of the spouses that wants to play squash, and the other one doesn't want to play squash, there's all kinds of other things to do. Not only here at this facility, but in all of Reno, Tahoe and Virginia City."

Backers hope to finish raising the $11 million for the building by July. If all goes as planned, they hope to have the arena open by the fall of 2015.